Sunflower Oil

In the 1990s, concerns about the harmful effects of consuming too much animal fat and too many trans fats, including increased risk for cardiovascular disease, drove people to investigate other oils to use while cooking and baking.

Sunflower oil became one popular alternative because it contains a high amount of unsaturated “good” fats that can lower risk for disease. Separately, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers say an application of sunflower oil may be a lifesaver for infection-prone infants in the developing world. A sunflower oil massage may add an extra defense to the baby’s skin, protecting it from pathogens.